Know Your Disease
Prostate Cancer
Overview
In men, the prostate gland is found just below the urinary bladder. Prostate cancer occurs when malignant (cancerous) cells grow in the prostate tissue. It is the most commonly occurring cancer in men. According to the best prostate cancer surgeon in Kolkata, this type of cancer usually occurs in men after the age of 50 but the risk increases with increasing age. Prostate cancer spreads to local tissues around the prostate, lymph nodes, and distant sites, usually bone.
What are Its Symptoms
Symptoms of prostate cancer are no different from cancer-free enlargement of the prostate (BPH) initially. However, additional features are seen when it becomes advanced. Common symptoms, as listed by Dr. Soumen Das, include:
- Frequent urination
- Having difficulty starting or stopping when urinating or trying to urinate
- Constant need to urinate, especially at night
- Painful tingling or burning sensation when urinating or ejaculating
- Blood in urine or semen
- Erectile dysfunction
- Changes in bowel habits
- Vague weight loss
- Fatigue
- Back pain, hip pain or pelvic pain
Treatment Options
Surgery
If it does not spread beyond the prostate gland, radical prostatectomy is done, in which a cancer surgeon removes the entire prostate gland along with the surrounding tissue. Such type of prostate cancer surgery in Kolkata can be performed by laparoscopic approach or by robotic approach which leads to lesser discomfort of the patient and quick recovery.
Radiation Therapy
It uses gamma rays, high-energy X-rays, or particles to destroy cancer cells. This therapy can be divided into brachytherapy (internal radiation) and external beam radiation. In external radiation therapy, a high-power X-ray beam is directed at the tumour from outside the body. In the case of internal radiation, a prostate cancer doctor in India will place a direct radiation source inside or near the tumour.
Hormone Therapy
This prostate cancer treatment modality in Kolkata is used to reduce the levels of male hormones (androgens) as well as to prevent prostate cancer cells from being affected. It is also known as androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and androgen suppression therapy. Lower androgen levels lead to contractions in the size of prostate cancer and inhibit their growth.
Chemotherapy
These include intravenous injections or oral medications to kill cancer cells and reduce the size of the tumour. This treatment approach has become increasingly popular in prostate cancer, especially in higher grades.
Vaccination
Cyplusell-T (Provence) is a cancer vaccine given by the prostate cancer doctor in Kolkata to boost the body’s immune system to attack prostate cancer cells. This vaccine is created specifically for each patient using their white blood cells.